Crowns & Bridges
Explaining dental crowns and tooth bridges
Both fixed prosthetic devices, crowns and most bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, only to be removed by a dentist. Unlike removable devices such as dentures that you can take out yourself and clean daily.
Crowns are hollow, artificial teeth that fit snugly over the natural tooth or an implant. A bridge, on the other hand, is a permanent appliance that is held firmly in place by the teeth that surround the one that’s missing or by a dental implant.
Details about crowns
What is a dental crown for? When we need to cover or completely “cap” a damaged tooth, we use a crown. In addition to providing strength to a damaged tooth, a crown can improve the appearance, shape, or alignment of the tooth.
When we place a crown on an implant, it provides an authentically looking shape and functional structure similar to that of the original tooth. To match the colour of the natural teeth, porcelain or ceramic crowns are a good choice. Other crown materials include metal alloys, including gold, and acrylic. The alloys tend to provide better strength than porcelain and are often recommended for the molars. We can also use porcelain that is bonded to a metal shell, as it’s both attractive and strong.
Your dentist may recommend a crown because:
You have a large filling that needs replacing because there is very little tooth remaining.
We want to protect against the fracture of a weak tooth.
We need to restore a fractured tooth.
We need to attach a bridge.
We’re covering a dental implant.
A discoloured or poorly shaped tooth will get covered.
You’ve had a root canal treatment, and we need to cover the tooth.
Details about bridges
We tend to recommend a bridge appliance if you’re missing one or more teeth. If a missing tooth isn’t replaced, surrounding teeth can rotate or shift into the gaps that remain. The result is a bad bite. If the missing teeth cause an imbalance, it can lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are placed to span the gap where a tooth, or teeth, is missing. We cement the bridge to the surrounding teeth or implants, referred to as abutments. These abutments anchor the bridge. We then attach the replacement tooth, or pontic, to the crowns that cover the abutments. Similar to crowns, you can choose which material with which you’d like to make your bridge. With your dentist, you can discuss which material is best for you based on the location of the bridge, the function it will serve, aesthetic considerations and the cost.
How do you make crowns and bridges?
Before either a crown or a bridge is made, we shrink the tooth (or teeth) so that the crown or bridge fits over it properly. After making the tooth/teeth smaller, your dentist takes an impression to create an exact mould. If we use porcelain, your dentist will determine the correct shade of the appliance to match the colour of your existing teeth.
Using this impression, or mould, using the desired or recommended material, a dental lab can make your crown or bridge. The dentist will affix a temporary crown or bridge to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent gets made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the new crown or bridge gets cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.
How long do crowns and bridges last?
While they’re known to last a lifetime, in most cases, crowns and bridges can sometimes come loose or fall out. To do your best to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge, you need to practice good oral hygiene. Dental disease can compromise the teeth or bone holding the bridge or crown in place. Maintain the health of your teeth and gums by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. Prevent damage to your new crown or bridge by avoiding hard foods, such as candy and ice. Also, keep a regular schedule of dentist and hygienist checkups and professional cleanings.